Grand National winning jockey take on Rasen role

The 17-year-old jockey who is taking the horse racing world by storm is to be the first “ambassador” of Market Rasen Racecourse,

On the day that Tony McCoy retired as a jockey after 20 consecutive years as professional champion, Sean Bowen was crowned champion conditional jockey.

He finished the 2014/5 jump racing season with 51 winners and, as he embarks on the new season this week, he has agreed to the promotional role with the town’s racecourse.

He was taken to the racecourse by his parents – trainer Peter Bowen and his wife Karen - when he was just 10-days-old. Ironically, he was allergic to horse hair for a number of years.

Nadia Gollings, General Manager of Market Rasen Racecourse, said: “We are thrilled that Sean has agreed to become our ‘ambassador’. He has had a famous season, becoming champion conditional jockey and last Saturday winning the biggest race of his life so far, the bet365 Gold Cup, on Just A Par at our sister racecourse in The Jockey Club at Sandown Park.”

“Sean graduated into the sport through pony racing and point-to-point racing, so he comes from a true jumping background.”

Sean, who is attached to the stables of champion trainer Paul Nicholls and also rides horses for his father, will be writing a monthly blog for the racecourse’s website and will be helping to promote racing to racecourse visitors.

“Becoming champion conditional jockey has been a dream come true. It was a fantastic season and receiving my trophy from racing legend Tony McCoy was amazing. I am delighted to become Market Rasen Racecourse’s first ambassador. It’s a special racecourse for me … the first I visited when I was just ten days old! The track is also one at which my father, Peter Bowen, has had many winners.”